3 minute read
A look back at some highlights of the racing from Randwick on Saturday.
Maher colt can be Epic again
Epic Proportions found one better at Randwick on Saturday in Group-placed filly Cigar Flick, but connections were far from disappointed in his performance.
The colt made the running and gave a strong kick in the straight before Cigar Flick burst through a late gap along the rails to score.
In the leading yard of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Epic Proportions has now had two starts for a midweek win at Canterbury and his second placing in Saturday's The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1100m) and racing manager Johann Gerard-Dubord says that is a fair start to any horse's career.
"He's done well at his first two starts, winning in town first-up and being second on a Saturday," Gerard-Dubord said.
"He has come a long way and he will improve again.
"He did nothing wrong, he was probably beaten by a better horse today, but it was a good effort."
Taree mare finally lands Highway Crown
The Highway Handicap victory by Chase My Crown held special significance for apprentice Dylan Gibbons, who was thrilled to get the verdict for Taree trainer Wayne Wilkes.
Wilkes has helped to support and guide the young rider since the start of his career and Gibbons has been waiting for an opportunity to repay him.
"I know it was only a Highway, but Wayne helped me get going as a young kid so it actually means a lot to win this race for him because he's looked after us since day one," Gibbons said.
"I've been wanting to win him a nice race with a nice cheque.
"It was good she put her best foot forward today and showed a good turn of foot."
The win was also a welcome change of fortune for Chase The Crown, who had been knocking on the door in Highway grade this campaign, including when runner up to Salute Again at her previous start.
"It's our sixth time down here this preparation and we finally got up," Wilkes said.
Token Capitalist gets the money
He blotted his copybook last start but punters who forgave the unplaced run of Token Capitalist were rewarded for their faith when he bounced back into the winner's stall at Randwick.
The three-year-old finished down the track behind Overriding on June 24 when he dropped out after being caught three-wide in the run.
Prior to that he had been a model of consistency, winning or placing at his five previous starts, and trainer Annabel Neasham's stable representative Aaron Lau said he had genuine excuses last time.
"He got caught wide from an inside draw and he was wide throughout. It was a forgive run," Lau said.
"We put a line through his last start, but he bounced out of that race so well and Jason (Collett) rated him really well (on Saturday).
"He can knock a few of these races off. His rating's still not too high and there's a few left in him this preparation I'd say."
Lau said Collett rode Token Capitalist in a trackwork gallop on Tuesday and gave the stable extra confidence going into Saturday's Furphy Handicap (1400m).
"He's been coming in and doing quite a bit of work," Lau said of Collett.
"He came in and actually galloped him on Tuesday and he was really confident with him."
Token Capitalist ($5.50) scored by a long neck over Terra Mater ($6.50) with another three-quarters of a length to Bat Out Of Hell ($5.50).
The winner's stablemate West Of Africa started a $3.20 favourite but never seriously threatened after settling back in the field and finished fifth.
Battleton arrives in nick of time
Boasting some of the best formlines of any horse at Randwick on Saturday, Battleton finally ended an extended drought from the winner's list with a last-stride victory in the Gipps St Social Handicap (1400m).
The Bjorn Baker-trained four-year-old last tasted success at Warwick Farm in October 2021, but he had been competitive in top company, finishing runner-up to Mazu in the 2021 Brian Crowley Stakes and fifth in that year's Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
He was again around the money during last year's Brisbane winter carnival where he placed in two Group races and Baker was relieved to see him get another win on the board.
"The owners deserve that and he was perfectly ridden," Baker said.
"He's shown the world. He ran a good fifth in the Coolmore Stakes and prior to that he was a good second here at Randwick to Mazu.
"He's got it in him and maybe we've got the key now."
Battleton gave Gibbons a treble after his earlier wins aboard Chase My Crown and Diamond Diesel, with Gibbons following Baker's instructions to ride the horse quietly and with cover.
"I'll tell you what, it's sick doing that because you just want to push the button and I had to keep sniping away, sniping away," Gibbons said.
"When I presented him I expected him to go 'bang' and just put them away but hopefully now he's got that head in front he can take some confidence from it."
In a busy finish, Battleton ($7.50) nailed Resonator ($2.70 fav) by a short head with Silent Agenda ($41) another short neck back.
Quote of the day: "Things panned out well for him today. I knew he had ability, but he shocked me how well he went. If Kris (Lees) can keep him in that frame, I'm sure there are better things in store." – man of the moment, apprentice Dylan Gibbons, after winning the Winter Stakes on Ucalledit.
